Zoicite stared at the long wooden box that had mysteriously appeared in his bedroom. Had one of his cousins placed it here as some sort of prank? The hybrid’s gaze narrowed in suspicion as he looked around the room for anything that could work as a test for him. There was a wooden ruler that his cousin used to measure out some of his crafts. Maybe that could work? It’ll have to do. Zoicite decided as he took the ruler and carefully poked at the box. He poked it a few times and then paused, tilting his head closer to the mysterious gift so that he could hear if it was moving or making any sort of protest after being bothered. So far though it was thankfully just quiet with no hint of hidden alol or some strange insects inside. Some of his cousins, and sometimes even his own siblings, could be a bit too mischievous so it never hurt to double check just in case. Zoicite took a couple of careful steps closer, pausing after each one to listen some more, and then when he didn’t hear anything after a few minutes the teen slowly put the ruler down. There didn’t appear to be any paint or some sort of sticky surprise on the outside of the box either, no sap to try to seal his fingers together like last time, and so he felt confident enough to finally pick up the box. “Alright, no regrets.” At least he hoped he wouldn’t have any regrets from actually trusting this thing. Zoicite even gave the box a cautious sniff, his shoulders sagging with relief when the box smelled woodsy as it should have, and after the final inspection he finally placed it on his bed to open. There was just a simple clasp and after nudging it open, Zoicite carefully removed the lid to reveal the object resting inside. “What?” Surprise made his gaze widen, but Zoicite was not upset by the reveal. If anything he was absolutely delighted by it! An ornate sword that looked like it was something to be passed down. The metal of the blade wasn’t rusty or anything, but it had a weight and sheen to it that made him feel like it had been wiped down many times and wasn’t one of those flimsy, brighter freshly made blades that the nearby markets would sell to visitors wanting something ornate as a gift. The metal actually looked almost dark indigo and in the sunlight there was a shimmer like a galaxy in the night sky, almost like it was made out of some sort of special material7 and not your typical iron. There was even faint engraving along the blade, the very sight making Zoicite bring it closer to study it better. “Where did you come from?” He questioned again, but the sight of the handle and the delicate curves of the metal there that resembled his makuahine’s own blade gave him a vague idea of the mysterious gift giver. There were even gemstones embedded there in the elegant design that reminded him of Nanami’s blade as well.

“Ah, I see you found the box.”

Zoicite blinked and slowly lowered the blade before looking back towards the doorway of his room. A tall Elarian dressed in a colorful cotton dress with her locks twisted over one shoulder was smiling at him and the teen couldn’t hide his own happiness at seeing his grandmother. “Did you leave this here?” The question blurted from his lips before he could even stop himself, the hybrid simply too excited and curious to care.

“I left it here because of your Makuahine’s request. Nanami and Noelani are going on a hunt for a bit, but she didn’t want to forget your birthday.” Ocyale walked into the room, a gentle hand patting Zoicite’s shoulder as she looked at the gift with him. “I know she wanted to give it to you in person, but she also didn’t want you to think that she forgot today since she can’t celebrate until after tomorrow.”

“I….” Zoicite blinked, his own cheeks flushing. “I might have forgotten.” In all the chaos of family and then his mothers having to leave last night for a weekend trip to meet up with other treasure hunters the teen had totally forgotten his own birthday! “I’m glad she remembered though. It’s so beautiful, right?”

“It really is.” Ocyale chuckled softly as she sat down on the edge of the bed and studied her oldest grandchild. “But that’s just the beginning of today. There’s a huge breakfast waiting for you and we’ll have to see what other gifts will appear as the day goes along.” She teased lightly, her expression brightening even more at Zoicite’s obvious happiness.

[800]